以下为原文：+ G# W8 _- q6 O1 p% E- u6 d
0 `7 k' c, b$ |# [% d6 G" A/ [8 a2 {( q& m1 H4 F4 x, Z3 a4 B2 _
Chapter 3
' k4 n" ^3 X- P, K" n A HUMBLING ENCOUNTER
! z2 S$ Q7 j0 @) R: I3 p: m* z5 U9 k4 K( }
He had his old room back. He even had his name back. The
! G# T6 y2 a2 q$ ]memories of the authorities in Luskan were not as long as 6 N: O+ \( C+ f- H
they claimed.- s. c" a8 m3 \* P% g3 ?
The previous year, Morik the Rogue had been accused of 7 Q- `9 E" G# e: a3 G
attempting to murder the honorable Captain Deudermont of the
c% W2 z, a- T' u1 y3 Wgood ship Sea Sprite, a famous pirate hunter. Since in : [3 p H$ z. U0 s0 |4 S
Luskan accusation and conviction were pretty much the same 4 J7 w% n! f) ~( ~8 O
thing, Morik had faced the prospect of a horrible death in * i# v+ ?4 }2 D+ ]3 u
the public spectacle of Prisoner's Carnival. He had actually
$ s2 Y- D5 x; x0 o O( s h6 Ybeen in the process of realizing that ultimate torture when
) i: S2 E& ? I) x& Q+ C5 u+ |Captain Deudermont, horrified by the gruesome scene, had % |4 c# B7 Y% D: P: n
offered a pardon.
- v% Q2 l% t# ^- } Pardoned or not, Morik had been forever banned from 9 L; F$ @ ~8 H. b- f& k0 l8 }* Q' I( s
Luskan on pain of death. He had returned anyway, of course,
, S. M5 u" w) o6 S8 o1 w9 Athe following year. At first he'd taken on an assumed 5 \: [1 h- D. N2 a m
identity, but gradually he had regained his old trappings,
# n( X, G3 v+ Z# Chis true mannerisms, his connections on the streets, his
! ?( ^0 @+ l/ v7 M4 X; n# \apartment, and, finally, his name and the reputation it % r2 K8 |: P! j" y1 i6 I$ V. ^
carried. The authorities knew it too, but having plenty of - C, K7 K5 \. E2 N2 G3 r H0 {# g
other thugs to torture to death, they didn't seem to care.$ A; E9 M$ I; p- @# m6 v/ L$ t+ B
Morik could look back on that awful day at Prisoner's
6 x! N/ I; w' {2 z& LCarnival with a sense of humor now. He thought it perfectly % H; i- s' T, U$ W! t# d
ironic that he had been tortured for a crime that he hadn't
8 c9 j% W1 Y( G) s: R5 beven committed when there were so many crimes of which he
# }8 { q2 o2 ~2 n' S7 f. k1 q% wcould be rightly convicted.! `& Q) _) p) v' b* K
It was all a memory now, the memory of a whirlwind of 2 t6 c) Y) ]& d f2 r1 \6 b
intrigue and danger by the name of Wulfgar. He was Morik the % o4 K' N: C5 |2 M6 ?. @
Rogue once more, and all was as it had once been ... almost.6 t% y1 \1 I. ], J7 o5 F/ D" z3 h
For now there was another element, an intriguing and " V) d5 X* n3 t; c# t6 x
also terrifying element, that had come into Morik's life. He # |- y5 ~: n3 M5 F: P) N
walked up to the door of his room cautiously, glancing all
9 Z1 p6 v" S9 `$ e# Iabout the narrow hallway, studying the shadows. When he was ; Q' F# ?6 D# H U. b: L" O
confident that he was alone, he walked up tight to the door,
- k- Y+ F! Q8 hshielding it from any magically prying eyes, and began the
; S( E& S. G( g! s4 ?7 M! _! hprocess of undoing nearly a dozen deadly traps, top to
; c; s7 \7 C5 I% {1 p4 tbottom along both sides of the jamb. That done, he took out ( _# D( C+ o3 l$ T: q
a ring of keys and undid the locks-one, two, three-then he
+ o3 }6 \% o( x2 w0 e- }clicked open the door. He disarmed yet another trap-this one
! L6 F \* g, texplosive-then entered, closing and securing the door and
8 s3 z1 c. m' |9 h' y6 Jresetting all the traps. The complete process took him more
8 c) L% F" Y. M: Z1 L& Bthan ten minutes, yet he performed this ritual every time he : K( K/ Z; c ^- i
came home. The dark elves had come into Morik's life, 9 ~' }& y( x' `+ i5 n s! Y
unannounced and uninvited. While they had promised him the 8 {4 @' \+ O- s! {3 j# y
treasure of a king if he performed their tasks, they had
! S" z; o E9 A$ \0 _4 calso promised him and had shown him the flip side of that 8 j- y6 v# R+ v. j# Y/ Q0 p
golden coin as well.) `; \3 Q: W4 _6 i
Morik checked the small pedestal at the side of the door
! U. p; r: p8 l9 nnext. He nodded, satisfied to see that the orb was still in
9 A7 Y7 Q7 Z; T' l" X; o- yplace in the wide vase. The vessel was coated with contact & o) |% U# z2 t9 j5 l* w
poison and maintained a sensitive pressure release trap. He
3 ]: P% X8 ? Q- C" Y7 I2 Chad paid dearly for that particular orb- an enormous amount 8 I: Y- k7 F/ @! P F
of gold that would take him a year of hard thievery to # F, I8 H0 v) V+ p. S% V2 O
retrieve-but in Morik's fearful eyes, the item was well
7 J0 W$ E0 o7 L" P E4 M+ Eworth the price. It was enchanted with a powerful anti-magic
9 ?/ j- T; c+ D$ X1 F0 |2 I. k! Wdweomer that would prevent dimensional doors from opening in
; N0 P9 q$ p6 m# v/ k9 `his room, that would prevent wizards from strolling in on
0 Z$ R0 M/ ~1 U! ~$ Mthe other side of a teleportation spell.1 `, ?8 }# s- Z, Q. n6 l' J
Never again did Morik the Rogue wish to be awakened by a 2 p/ }7 `7 c. P
dark elf standing at the side of his bed, looming over him.! W7 y4 i& g3 a4 d+ |- P
All of his locks were in place, his orb rested in its + r/ s8 I) H! b# P0 v2 C
protected vessel, and yet some subtle signal, an intangible - K& n/ A1 i6 o( {- X' \
breeze, a tickling on the hairs at the back of his neck,
% O3 V0 |) k1 I Atold Morik that something was out of place. He glanced all
8 w, [2 `0 n2 Naround, from shadow to shadow, to the drapes that still hung ; d1 y8 X5 H; \; a/ E4 u
over the window he had long ago bricked up. He looked to his # A( \) R4 f8 } @: k
bed, to the tightly tucked sheets, with no blankets hanging + g" z8 W; K: d- o
below the edge. Bending just a bit, Morik saw right through r$ e8 I0 ^# B" l* H3 w
the bottom of the bed. There was no one hiding under there.
) D2 ?% r& K# Z The drapes, then, he thought, and he moved in that 2 X, \. b6 T' @4 j# h W
general direction but took a circuitous route so that he
" _* |3 G o( a+ v$ c Zwouldn't force any action from the intruder. A sudden shift 5 i1 Y1 a& a, f, I& b/ i
and quick-step brought him there, dagger revealed, and he " L- B& U g/ R' `, z& u5 o' p/ S
pulled the drapes aside and struck hard, catching only air. " h; x* e0 d" F6 e# _# `
Morik laughed in relief and at his own paranoia. How
. |+ F% ]! A4 M8 E# c8 Q2 r; Cdifferent his world had become since the arrival of the dark 6 b" ?' m% A/ V- y' q3 q; ?" C
elves. Always now he was on the edge of his nerves. He had 6 h3 P% E8 I5 @! c* ~) f5 N
seen the drow a total of only five times, including their 2 T4 T6 `) b( e9 ^" p
initial encounter way back when Wulfgar was new to the city
- @6 B# c6 d/ r9 X B" o: U1 | E% |and they, for some reason that Morik still did not
* I: _, h* U8 d# Y3 Q; v' Jcompletely understand, wanted him to keep an eye on the huge 7 T! T' y7 h$ t, K
barbarian.. s; }6 I+ u! H
He was always on his edge, always wary, but he reminded
1 f0 D1 w- W: `6 Hhimself of the potential gains his alliance with the drow
( }% z; q% K8 _would bring. Part of the reason that he was Morik the Rogue # x* _$ {& J+ }
again, from what he had been able to deduce, had to do with
: c( h5 R, K2 sa visit to a particular authority by one of Jarlaxle's
( v5 d: c. O5 Bhenchmen.& t! Y# t& [, ?' t" Y T
He gave a sigh of relief and let the drapes swing back,
/ {& V$ e8 B- r' ]& o+ `3 Hthen froze in surprise and fear as a hand clamped over his
1 Z- ]5 f, t, ?( G9 Cmouth and the fine edge of a dagger came tight against his
+ _7 e* v6 @ J- w. A$ B* {throat.
, J8 ] C- v5 m" O; O. W "You have the jewels?" a voice whispered in his ear, a
4 w6 t" C! g0 [( U* Q7 U# f2 ]voice showing incredible strength and calm despite its quiet
% O" D. t& S7 J9 e/ t6 u! V5 l1 W* ^tone. The hand slipped off of his mouth and up to his 1 F! p) f' u! _: B5 w# H
forehead, forcing his head back just enough to remind him of 8 O( Y9 |' x$ ~/ l
how vulnerable and open his throat was.# w1 r/ G' ]4 a; x, U' E! A4 N0 X0 v
Morik didn't answer, his mind racing through many 8 M# Q8 E( l! Q" ]1 j% h# E. M" H
possibilities-the least likely of which seeming to be his
% b) p- s- F c. C& U jpotential escape, for that hand holding him revealed
7 } T. f) F4 _/ ~frightening strength and the hand holding the dagger at his
+ k+ f2 C: S. \0 z5 }" \9 J9 W& Ethroat was too, too steady. Whoever his attacker might be, / }& s4 m2 V9 F1 W( e( K, S* W
Morik understood immediately that he was overmatched.- W a5 \1 |5 T9 b- J
"I ask one more time; then I end my frustration," came
2 Q/ q0 B2 q3 S2 ethe whisper.
7 ]# b2 {0 i% `8 v8 ]8 p' g9 N1 W: Y r "You are not drow," Morik replied, as much to buy some
; _+ U% z4 V9 J# f/ i% |time as to ensure that this man-and he knew that it was a
" F: A/ ~ V! @. [2 ~- fman and certainly no dark elf-would not act rashly.
M' o: J B+ o3 n7 y; [& | "Perhaps I am, though under the guise of a wizard's # b. a2 i' }6 {# E
spell," the assailant replied. "But that could not be-or
# H" P6 T& q9 _& v! Ncould it?-since no magic will work in this room." As he ) m; i/ C/ k" s; r
finished, he roughly pushed Morik away, then grabbed his
3 [0 T# x2 H! }6 i Tshoulder to spin the frightened rogue around as he fell / |: E0 L7 |! j& g. ?
back.% m9 E! Q) W, J1 ?4 B
Morik didn't recognize the man, though he still
" w6 g8 H) x" G1 ^understood that he was in imminent danger. He glanced down
) U: y7 N- ^9 o& }1 I9 Mat his own dagger, and it seemed a pitiful thing indeed
. I: T& b9 k4 R+ d& zagainst the magnificent, jewel-handled blade his opponent
8 F0 d& M# o. F, f1 a% w" Q1 dcarried-almost a reflection of the relative strengths of - g; {" H X0 x! |" O& q- @
their wielders, Morik recognized with a wince.
, `% ]. W. p" e4 Z/ x- q, e Morik the Rogue was as good a thief as roamed the
5 ?1 L r6 @9 V8 o3 I* ` Sstreets of Luskan, a city full of thieves. His reputation,
. o: }- J; Y+ R* e$ O( c" sthough bloated by bluff, had been well-earned across the
9 h" R" S/ |7 }" m! bbowels of the city. This man before him, older than Morik by
6 s4 ?, O, p7 S9 X5 A1 a( R6 fa decade, perhaps, and standing so calm and so balanced . .
3 b4 F) @5 x: ^% a.
" n( x* `7 S v: i+ o/ m7 t$ n This man had gotten into his apartment and had remained
: v8 a4 J' _9 M4 |# a; A/ `there unobserved despite Morik's attempted scrutiny. Morik
% d+ h! K* z/ u4 v2 Cnoted then that the bed sheets were rumpled-but hadn't he
) m* A& P+ K' r8 \( T0 ?just looked at them, to see them perfectly smooth?
$ N( P+ y, k! B* q' b9 Q; k "You are not drow," Morik dared to say again.& U) ]8 ?9 b: A$ o7 ^8 T3 ~ j
"Not all of Jarlaxle's agents are dark elves, are they,
' N ]3 ?1 O- o2 n1 Q4 ~$ V% SMorik the Rogue?" the man replied.
/ s8 V. O) N9 O' a8 l/ ~ Morik nodded and slipped his dagger into its sheath at
5 ]8 o' ]; b- K Bhis belt, a move designed to alleviate the tension, $ r5 I6 v3 K% t/ A* i
something that Morik desperately wanted to do." y9 O9 j9 L3 w6 m
"The jewels?" the man asked.0 w" ?/ ^$ m" ]% l) v0 J7 o
Morik could not hide the panic from his face., n1 {6 L @$ d: u
"You should have purchased them from Telsburgher," the
9 m+ a0 U- P( x) F' R1 Qman remarked. "The way was clear and the assignment was not
- m$ ~5 x* j9 Y) P5 Cdifficult."
4 G- }$ u. M& e' | "The way would have been clear," Morik corrected, "but
1 I, i3 S6 R5 M( m0 Afor a minor magistrate who holds old grudges."
( q$ R" L+ d3 Z( u, e The intruder continued to stare, showing neither
5 @ i: p! i5 T- ~1 F0 H0 ]intrigue nor anger, telling Morik nothing at all about * u. e: V6 ?: q& Y7 J
whether or not he was even interested in any excuses.; N! H, h4 ~- s9 e# r s
"Telsburgher is ready to sell them to me," Morik quickly
$ a ^" \% L, T/ z1 d# p& ~6 Jadded, "at the agreed price. His hesitation is only a matter
# ~0 x: N1 |0 O& I5 \of his fear that there will be retribution from Magistrate ' A; _6 J0 j) H& c; Q: ~/ v" K
Jharkheld. The evil man holds an old grudge. He knows that I + w `8 T5 ]$ ^4 l! f, T
am back in town and wishes to drag me back to his Prisoner's 3 t# c" z2 j. _7 W. d$ ~
Carnival, but he cannot, by word of his superiors, I am 3 z: J0 L9 W% u) Z7 u. `& j
told. Thank Jarlaxle for me."
! N3 F& z8 E# ~' J% D "You thank Jarlaxle by performing as instructed," the
' L' v# `; P. X5 }7 R% ]4 {9 Mman replied, and Morik nervously shifted from foot to foot. " N- W( w# v8 K. M+ A# ?
"He helps you to fill his purse, not to fill his heart with 9 I' M9 v2 {+ d* O$ _" E6 c# E) g
good feelings."
* C' u1 L/ w" Y6 Q- P9 Z: q( z Morik nodded. "I fear to go after Jharkheld," he
6 Z7 B. j" H6 \- _5 K2 v3 }explained. "How high might I strike without incurring the
+ o. ?. ]" K# K1 c. I @wrath of the greater powers of Luskan, thus ultimately : x1 T' x' U/ b! ]+ D3 g
wounding Jarlaxle's purse?"! Z1 S" |9 ?8 G0 _/ ^
"Jharkheld is not a concern," the man answered with a , T& Q* p# [0 f7 }# F6 n
tone so assured that Morik found that he believed every # L1 A; W4 L- z0 b- o6 \
word. "Complete the transaction."
$ d( j- V; ~, }4 J$ i "But..." Morik started to reply./ Y0 @" L4 g$ m+ ]! _
"This night," came the answer, and the man turned away $ w1 |6 U3 d6 b1 _2 S
and started for the door.
% f$ V) O# o! @6 r" k His hands worked in amazing circles right before Morik's
0 Y; [ G A$ S4 v: Peyes as trap after trap after lock fell open. It had taken 6 N" c/ l; G- |4 y" W1 u" j! R& j: {
Morik several minutes to get through that door, and that
- u0 ], v8 j, k% L* w" P% d1 `" P/ Zwith an intricate knowledge of every trap-which he had set-
) |9 K. N j$ H0 }+ Pand with the keys for the three supposedly difficult locks, ' l& p* J5 C' I, B# K) x: H
and yet, within the span of two minutes, the door now swung
. ]: M" b* T( i! _, d' @- kopen wide.
0 _8 Z; o# F2 p; Z: | The man glanced back and tossed something to the floor ; w0 h, C. P6 i) b2 C3 J- Y
at Morik's feet.
' c- O( V, R9 R: B A wire.
' g! [+ {2 I6 j, Z6 j9 C# _ "The one on your bottom trap had stretched beyond 0 c! P; S2 D) @! ?- h
usefulness," the man explained. "I repaired it for you."
J0 r4 Z! V( l( l: R. ? t He went out then and closed the door, and Morik heard
& q( o/ J; X( {1 r$ u4 Kthe clicks and sliding panels as all the locks and traps
3 E0 z1 d* a0 F, J8 [were efficiently reset.7 K# _5 z6 A9 g- [0 D
Morik went to his bed cautiously and pulled the bed
# j+ {8 k& W5 ^6 n! o) ]sheets aside. A hole had been cut into his mattress, - v7 @5 R. X, k J6 J V
perfectly sized to hold the intruder. Morik gave a helpless & `3 _( B. g8 K. R- \
laugh, his respect for Jarlaxle's band multiplying. He 2 p7 e- w; w) F" Z2 }- g) t$ \
didn't even have to go over to his trapped vase to know that
$ ^- Q/ X- Q+ p8 ~: Q2 Ithe orb now within it was a fake and that the real one had 8 U2 e# G- x" c! U8 A$ n: H3 T
just walked out his door.
- D; N/ W7 w2 N: T Entreri blinked as he walked out into the late afternoon # ~$ Y2 c8 X: l
Luskan sun. He dropped a hand into his pocket, to feel the
/ `; @+ L# `& X! Nenchanted device he had just taken from Morik. This small
- }) @3 i+ {& ?) G$ p7 Korb had frustrated Rai-guy. It defeated his magic when he'd
9 z) L0 T% R q o8 {tried to visit Morik himself, as it was likely doing now. : H! D/ [4 p+ v1 v3 l! J% d2 a! Y, k
That thought alone pleased Entreri greatly. It had taken 0 K9 K2 `, l5 y5 Z/ J: }
Bregan D'aerthe nearly a ten day to discern the source of
0 k" ]" u/ D8 z$ T# {Morik's sudden distance, how the man had made his room
1 b4 Y, g2 A! F- ?' P, ^1 [% K# iinaccessible to the prying eyes of the wizards. Thus, ; M) ~5 f$ K+ ?2 h
Entreri had been sent. He held no illusions that his trip
O, l$ U( x8 N7 ]9 N4 shad to do with his thieving prowess, but rather, it was / h5 n; W% J8 H' m
simply because the dark elves weren't certain of how
0 A4 O' O' b P6 Z' q# s% Jresistant Morik might be and simply hadn't wished to risk 7 p0 C4 I8 f! B) g1 s& a
any of their brethren in the exploration. Certainly Jarlaxle
( } l3 @. i! X$ e5 d% P+ Y y8 y5 nwouldn't have been pleased to learn that Rai-guy and 8 u+ W1 \1 x' M1 N: `
Kimmuriel had forced Entreri to go, but the pair knew that
7 J; j8 ?5 @8 ]. ~( S0 E7 YEntreri wouldn't go to Jarlaxle with the information.* A) G# ^( Q* {
So Entreri had played message boy for the two
2 ~; C+ x$ z* f c0 g- p1 tformidable, hated dark elves.; I% Q, a# C6 U
His instructions upon taking the orb and finishing his # ]1 ^9 L7 N* ?) U4 J4 d
business with Morik had been explicit and precise. He was to
7 J1 ^, U4 \" bplace the orb aside and use the magical signal whistle Rai-
6 @4 ?+ e, t7 L) ]# A9 ^guy had given him to call to the dark elves in faraway . n! w! Y/ g/ @
Calimport, but he wasn't in any hurry.5 w) O: |( ?( s, l' I% M6 v
He knew that he should have killed Morik, both for the + z f& a" A' l7 h" g& h; O
man's impertinence in trying to shield himself and for
o9 _; p" r. c0 W, c% l( sfailing to produce the required jewels. Rai-guy and 6 G, `: x) ?1 F7 a; Z9 t8 v4 O
Kimmuriel would demand such punishment, of course. Now he'd
: A( \ _) b' w7 h9 D+ Yhave to justify his actions, to protect Morik somewhat." U5 k8 n+ [4 _7 R* `$ ~ N) N
He knew Luskan fairly well, having been through the city
- V$ C7 A" v2 t H4 X- dseveral times, including an extended visit only a few days . j, T% v, r+ e# k( t
before, when he, along with several other drow agents, had ( L2 y3 n& U. G$ A) q R; m, ]; {5 u, D
learned the truth of Morik's magic-blocking device. : a5 v' ?$ Q Z; o6 E" n, k! \, F
Wandering the streets, he soon heard the shouts and cheers $ r- z0 x7 `% @' J( t
of the vicious Prisoner's Carnival. He entered the back of / R/ }6 C# i- k
the open square just as some poor fool was having his ; H, z5 h. r8 k
intestines pulled out like a great length of rope. Entreri
# i8 d! C! j. s4 D' Z: ihardly noticed the spectacle, concentrating instead on the 4 t4 F% f+ o# Z+ Z! g5 j5 w
sharp-featured, diminutive, robed figure presiding over the 8 K) F0 ~$ Q0 X, K; u5 {' Q
torture.$ n2 C4 M: V7 R9 @/ d" U% C
The man screamed at the writhing victim, telling him to ) {- T' V# J/ C7 c) P. E$ Z6 `
surrender his associates, there and then, before it was too
9 _3 G1 G1 U2 w0 A' Z' `late. "Secure a chance for a more pleasant afterlife!" the + ^9 N# J' G2 {/ N! x+ F; z! m
magistrate screeched, his voice as sharp as his angry, # g! F# G6 s( N
angular features. "Now! Before you die!"7 b9 S, t( [! o% e6 C/ f w
The man only wailed. It seemed to Entreri as if he was 5 B. ?9 q; e9 K5 q& j+ ^
far beyond any point of even comprehending the magistrate's
# A: W0 n% O9 y' ewords.
6 t8 f% y# S6 L( x He died soon enough and the show was over. The people , N I* G% [# _% l0 z% q6 b
began filtering out of the square, most nodding their heads
# _) w9 p# ~6 b7 O- D5 t, M# cand smiling, speaking excitedly of Jharkheld's fine show
+ g( T0 a& e: y' p vthis day.
6 I( H( W X% w That was all Entreri needed to hear.+ z5 V- u* o- q3 Y: I* {0 n7 b
He moved shadow to shadow, following the magistrate down
% K& E0 s2 f0 pthe short walk from the back of the square to the tower that $ h( D$ ~" @. p
housed the quarters of the officials of Prisoner's Carnival 7 `! e8 c1 Q! [& F2 N+ a
as well as the dungeons holding those who would soon face 7 W* ?# j7 @7 @# ^# l0 h% |
the public tortures./ M; y5 Q+ g1 N" X" W
He mused at his own good fortune in carrying Morik's
, I& ?7 |* V% m& X# T; K/ ?orb, for it gave him some measure of protection from any
8 L' U b! F C- d0 V6 F' q$ `wizard hired to further secure the tower. That left only
0 p6 V% u$ _" v8 D0 V1 w0 e$ z( Dsentries and mechanical traps in his way.
6 P6 \$ @. ~$ z5 c9 N3 B6 L8 b Artemis Entreri feared neither.8 S" R* \; J ^& {) G6 j
He went into the tower as the sun disappeared in the
) G; H u7 h1 w0 m8 s) B+ owest.
. S X9 [$ Q: ?$ t. L
}( w# O+ m. r0 B, I; T3 Z" A * * * * *5 n8 g" Y2 G6 J9 s7 z- e
! I: f% |, _# H6 B
"They have too many allies," Rai-guy insisted.
2 Q4 R* I1 G; ^# G% Q; j$ N "They would be gone without a trace," Jarlaxle replied
0 p& W* e4 o4 |+ d! nwith a wide smile. "Simply gone."2 w$ n" f: l! C K: L5 j; u5 d$ N
Rai-guy groaned and shook his head, and Kimmuriel, - s; Q$ } y& l. O; L
across the room and sitting comfortably in a plush chair, - d0 M- ^+ a7 G+ m- i# G
one leg thrown over the cushioning arm, looked up at the 3 M* H( t, w# _/ D9 Q( p& m5 [( i
ceiling and rolled his eyes.- ]$ M& ]9 ?. l* C
"You continue to doubt me?" Jarlaxle asked, his tone
7 }$ o5 u* V) x( w. \ Y% [9 I& ilight and innocent, not threatening. "Consider all that we ) J, _' e6 V# ^; x4 c
have already accomplished here in Calimport and across the , c m3 ~% m* C* e$ @
surface. We have agents in several major cities, including
9 {: b ]" u# p# BWaterdeep."' y: k: S- _4 L) e
"We are exploring agents in other cities," Rai-guy
* {5 a; K1 n8 J9 ~2 E1 F: c* Ncorrected. "We have but one currently working, the little
) q! V# r# a6 b% f: ~' \rogue in Luskan." He paused and glanced over at his
; U d% ]4 |3 ~! G$ s) q6 A2 npsionicist counterpart and smiled. "Perhaps."
) B$ x( M' w( J! z& f Kimmuriel chuckled as he considered their second agent
4 ]+ e! P6 v" Vnow working in Luskan, the one Jarlaxle did not know had
& y$ O9 n2 w1 i5 }6 u; F5 mleft Calimport.
5 b, B8 [+ ` j0 x3 p The others are preliminary," Rai-guy went on. "Some are $ L* ~; q; O5 a) z' c
promising, others not so, but none are worthy of the title 1 f5 b0 L9 S" U4 B
of agent at this time."
! A& @9 M8 U8 z: o "Soon, then," said Jarlaxle, coming forward in his own
u1 X% {4 k2 Bcomfortable chair. "Soon! They will become profitable 3 C: Q* e( m; X# k1 x3 @2 Y. d
partners or we will find others-not so difficult a thing to & \% {$ V e' m; J/ B. {$ c
do among the greedy humans. The situation here in 6 P* K; ^1 a3 L8 W$ y- t1 E& A
Calimport... look around you. Can you doubt our wisdom in ! n K. |! A3 k; r
coming here? The gems and jewels are flowing fast, a direct / U, T5 _0 V6 s5 Q( ]. ~. _" V
line to a drow population eager to expand their possessions 8 U' ?2 a& B- f ]
beyond the limited wealth of Menzoberranzan."* H! n- Y/ D5 d$ w1 l
"Fortunate are we if the houses of Ched Nasad determine
/ H8 ]: K3 E6 z9 Zthat we are undercutting their economy," Rai-guy, who hailed
/ f+ ?- O# h' n8 q3 C5 [ jfrom that other drow city, remarked sarcastically.! C h4 B9 Y" G. V) k
Jarlaxle scoffed at the notion.
+ W9 {! x9 D0 ?& U/ v3 H" S6 [( H0 K "I cannot deny the profitability of Calimport," the
# w% r5 d, z5 a0 T L6 w3 l Iwizard lieutenant went on, "yet when we first planned our 7 U# p% M4 D- u( O
journey to the surface, we all agreed that it would show : [% t8 D- [8 |5 i
immediate and strong returns. As we all agreed it would
+ `& D! R' | j/ ?% P; Wlikely be a short tenure, and that, after the initial
) l X5 A+ D7 J7 E3 f6 Vprofits, we would do well to reconsider our position and : r* g9 I2 j' {3 m3 i% Z. n
perhaps retreat to our own land, leaving only the best of " E. G. R Z% H" M* ]
the trading connections and agents in place."! }& N3 {0 v% E
"So we should reconsider, and so I have," said Jarlaxle. $ V/ W$ s, N; d- W& n$ R/ G& \) y
"It seems obvious to me that we underestimated the potential 0 |9 l- x% F4 s6 x/ }% X( f% l
of our surface operations. Expand! Expand, I say."' L2 Z0 H% s& t( I% F
Again came the disheartened expressions. Kimmuriel was ! ]( O7 C5 n; ^
still staring at the ceiling, as if in abject denial of what
+ |0 P2 l" N, m' q6 ?2 JJarlaxle was proposing.6 m) ?/ j6 n$ |" k, v7 z" Q
"The Rakers desire that we limit our trade to this one " Y; O2 S; ]# N
section," Jarlaxle reminded, "yet many of the craftsmen of # I, K$ o% A& B2 W# z6 p e! E
the more exotic goods-merchandise that would likely prove
2 I, }( N. x, H; S* R4 H7 O* Emost attractive in Menzoberranzan-are outside of that ( k$ {$ ]* Q" d* ~: @' h
region."2 R( X5 d+ L1 i0 S4 a& V
"Then we cut a deal with the Rakers, let them in on the 6 Q3 ?& p9 W5 O8 f& W/ c" }* ^
take for this new and profitable market to which they have
7 v" A! X$ K* _0 m) f4 Dno access," said Rai-guy, a perfectly reasonable suggestion
q0 S3 l0 |" _/ Win light of the history of Bregan D'aerthe, a mercenary and 0 d- t g* F. i; U6 \
opportunistic band that always tried to use the words
( J6 u; L2 [/ X, |, h, Z"mutually beneficial" as their business credo.! O5 e5 @" L+ |) k a
"They are pimples," Jarlaxle replied, extending his
: H( t! ]) P% P. w& U) ethumb and index finger in the air before him and pressing : Z& z5 _+ Z( j, s+ x
them together as if he was squeezing away an unwanted
/ g w" i. t" {& ^ c0 j: Fblemish. "They will simply disappear."$ D4 f+ n( J" {/ Y
"Not as easy a task as you seem to believe," came a , G% U ~0 M# Q: W( T4 s' u) l
feminine voice from the doorway, and the three glanced over
, g) _7 d9 T% U+ ?: Oto see Sharlotta Vespers gliding into the room, dressed in a
; z3 u0 [5 H" F6 s" F+ Q& ?8 Q7 plong gown slit high enough to reveal one very shapely leg. 7 a* r8 Z- X7 [6 Z' N+ V! f, L7 P
"The Rakers pride themselves on spreading their
8 c! @7 v) d" }+ Forganizational lines far and wide. You could destroy all of % y b/ W# X# `8 c
their houses and all of their known agents, even all of the
7 E5 y0 z$ c2 `2 F8 zpeople dealing with all of their agents, and still leave
/ ^* ~+ E; Q2 b: i4 Jmany witnesses."& g/ k+ d) `4 x( N# f. F$ t* R
"Who would do what?" Jarlaxle asked, but he was still
' @& R' p0 [7 _" _smiling, even patting his chair for Sharlotta to go over and ) k; }. O& k! n6 r7 w; T; r
sit with him, which she did, curling about him familiarly. $ F# t W T) L. ]
The sight of it made Rai-guy glance again at Kimmuriel. Both
[* S1 T; j) V0 B* V9 j/ s' C' c) Pknew that Jarlaxle was bedding the human woman, the most ' o ^$ t5 ?* i+ x, G
powerful remnant-along with Entreri- of the old Basadoni * W' z! _- b( c1 j0 N
Guild, and neither of them liked the idea. Sharlotta was a ! K0 |( V2 x& p, C6 K* ], N7 p: `
sly one, as humans go, almost sly enough to be accepted
5 r7 L0 a( H2 m- lamong the society of drow. She had even mastered the $ E: j: J( r$ k! L# n" E
language of the drow and was now working on the intricate 3 ~/ ^- \6 E9 V, E$ E& ?1 M
hand signals of the dark elven silent code. Rai-guy found
% r) e5 }, o6 u7 [her perfectly repulsive, and Kimmuriel, though seeing her as " \* h3 n7 M6 y7 ?2 K' a5 c
exotic, did not like the idea of having her whispering
2 T) g# a& v5 G& D' [0 i, o5 E4 M+ cdangerous suggestions into Jarlaxle's ear.
2 N6 I+ \' z$ o; Q; B In this particular matter, though, it seemed to both of
+ H* D* U7 i: d; y7 d% hthem that Sharlotta was on their side, so they didn't try to
+ W9 S" n0 X/ k1 Ninterrupt her as they usually did.
/ u4 c$ ~6 m( a& z! o3 L5 S "Witnesses who would tell every remaining guild,"
" a/ _% y! _3 @2 H/ D4 ^6 A# lSharlotta explained, "and who would inform the greater
% o+ f0 O) B( p4 b) Mpowers of Calimshan. The destruction of the Rakers Guild
% n4 U1 T/ B9 r: `would imply that a truly great power had secretly come to ) b- u& R" k @& L( y/ L. ^& r
Calimport."
F5 j# F5 q/ |7 S "One has," Jarlaxle said with a grin.
5 Y' T, V2 a) c# a+ I! }# A "One whose greatest strength lies in remaining secret," ! E6 L( E) x3 l% V" l
Sharlotta replied.3 S' z/ W6 r; w! b$ J' x) ~
Jarlaxle pushed her from his lap, right off the chair,
7 k2 Y4 M" Z% o. k7 E4 b# G6 h+ Yso that she had to move quickly to get her shapely legs 2 C2 }. ~, ]: t5 z/ b) E6 d
under her in time to prevent falling unceremoniously on her
: N. v+ H# D$ E4 m Yrump.
) H+ P* u( o( Q7 m) X. | The mercenary leader then rose as well, pushing right % P1 n# U, E/ M1 A/ _
past Sharlotta as if her opinion mattered not at all, and , a% {9 G. |) ^/ H1 c, _
moving closer to his more important lieutenants. "I once / H( ^ p3 L) t6 m( L! C
envisioned Bregan D'aerthe's role on the surface as that of ; B9 \' L/ j3 V3 p
importer and exporter," he explained. "This we have easily ( y! m0 @7 W/ U
achieved. Now I see the truth of the human dominated
! F' f2 s* c/ |/ zsocieties, and that is a truth of weakness. We can go 1 O* x' s9 a X* z9 S* d
further- we must go further."
+ u$ l. N. X, n \ "Conquest?" Rai-guy asked sourly, sarcastically.
- Z! b w8 s) k' H1 n "Not as Baenre attempted with Mithral Hall," Jarlaxle ( c6 q3 O4 q3 ?) {$ w% l3 ]
eagerly explained. "More a matter of absorption." Again came
: X* g2 d* d5 k! N& Z" I7 L Bthat wicked smile. "For those who will play."& k# G- e1 y" ]& I6 _( T
"And those who will not simply disappear?" Rai-guy $ p" a* x9 A6 r1 ?6 g
asked, but his sarcasm seemed lost on Jarlaxle, who only * R0 n0 c) w2 v6 p1 Q
smiled all the wider.
2 w7 U3 g% y2 @ "Did you not execute a Raker spy only the other day?" . }' ~2 n' M* I& D8 k: D# |! X
Jarlaxle asked.
! a$ U0 F) Q0 |) y7 t E "There is a profound difference in defending our privacy ; t0 e4 F Q- s+ f. w3 k( W
and trying to expand our borders," the wizard replied.
; {4 b& X8 Z8 ~ "Semantics," Jarlaxle said with a laugh. "Simply
. \# h' V+ A N! `5 M7 Csemantics."0 r' P. O/ \) ~: P
Behind him, Sharlotta Vespers bit her lip and shook her 0 O# @% \' s% C+ c) e$ ^4 [6 N
head, fearing that her newfound benefactors might be about
: r$ p8 e: p! O; N; J( z$ Hto make a tremendous and very dangerous blunder.
3 D6 t# W& w8 M7 P1 z0 I8 p$ V8 l
* * * * *6 s% E. ]! R3 ~8 a+ d0 o- Y# e0 e
, L# p! M6 y3 t, V' n$ i: x4 @% y0 Q From an alley not so far away, Entreri listened to the 4 b* [* x2 ]- X* D: A _+ _
shouts and confusion coming from the tower. When he had ' ^, n& s; D! g) R- W v( m
entered, he'd gone downstairs first, to find a particularly ) |% S4 g t. M# c" I( l. x3 T+ a* N
unpleasant prisoner to free. Once he had ushered the man to
. r4 H- q8 P5 o! t9 orelative safety, to the open tunnels at the back of the 4 K) x7 u5 X5 I- D0 D+ u, b
dungeons, he had gone upstairs to the first floor, then up ) F$ X1 d( ~7 D+ q$ t6 u( U
again, moving quietly and deliberately along the shadowy, 7 |: i4 S: t" r1 G
torch-lit corridors.! ?7 @0 K R9 @9 Z0 e
Finding Jharkheld's room proved easy enough.
! Q8 b* `, i g1 F, M, p$ p; t- R The door hadn't even been locked.; j( Z1 p; o" N
Had he not just witnessed the magistrate's work at
0 c7 E; {8 g- f6 p" yPrisoner's Carnival, Artemis Entreri might have reasoned 4 N7 T+ M) _, {
with him concerning Morik. Now the way was clear for Morik 3 G/ a! s; ?( Y8 C! Q
to complete his task and proffer the jewels.
; K& {/ Q8 ^; g! M) A Entreri wondered if the escaped prisoner, the obvious ( M8 ]* `" h: P# j2 ^4 T. C: |( K+ g
murderer of poor Jharkheld, had been found in the maze of
# c& Z, z/ q3 Xtunnels yet. What misery the man would face. A wry grin ! v1 v& L* d s% B( M
found its way onto Entreri's face, for he hardly felt any - q# q- m0 S9 y E0 c! r3 g
guilt about using the wretch for his own gain. The idiot . b( ^/ n- V& D6 [0 \/ O7 P
should have known better, after all. Why would someone come ( R. d7 S5 y7 }1 y0 x) L
in unannounced and at obvious great personal risk to save 7 t/ G8 [7 M3 C* m9 u% y
him? Why hadn't he even questioned Entreri while the - P8 `3 V |0 T
assassin was releasing him from the shackles? Why, if he was / j; J: W$ J) W9 ^ r! M; o6 z+ [6 E' d
smart enough to deserve his life, hadn't he tried to capture - H2 W U( P6 k
Entreri in his place, to put this unasked-for and unknown 6 c' W0 Y% [& C2 S6 M
savior up in the shackles in his stead, to face the + n* p0 V8 a: a- Y
executioner? So many prisoners came through these dungeons
7 U/ y9 @& `$ z+ F+ ~9 Uthat the gaolers likely wouldn't even have been aware of the " b$ B; b4 {7 D2 V4 Z( v& {9 G
change.
& F) ^- q3 D1 j% C# J$ S. I$ z% g So, his fate was the thug's own to accept, and in 6 Z9 D& @& V3 M1 f9 {6 ? ~$ |4 v
Entreri's thinking, of his own doing. Of course, the thug
, O/ j5 V; d8 ~3 U( ]# S# P; \would claim that someone else had helped him to escape, had ( v8 u5 m/ y _5 E# q$ O8 {
set it all up to make it look like it was his doing.
5 s9 k' E& v( K+ |1 tPrisoner's Carnival hardly cared for such excuses. Nor did
/ O$ ?! F+ x) E- l' ?- IArtemis Entreri.
2 G# R5 c+ @& I4 d( ?% E He dismissed all thoughts of those problems, glanced
( t9 q! ?3 `2 H7 i) V) varound to ensure that he was alone, and placed the magic
3 I; k/ E9 r% r. U9 ndispelling orb along the side of the alley. He walked across 5 D S" g# s2 d& r& h9 M3 |3 r
the way and blew his whistle. He wondered then how this
2 t7 c' j% w% w& j! ?$ Emight work. Magic would be needed, after all, to get him
3 |( n. L3 }5 }0 r4 e j, ]' M1 ^back to Calimport, but how might that work if he had to take 2 b% t! N, ^# ~$ g t x; K
the orb along? Wouldn't the orb's dweomer simply dispel the 4 x; p' T; ?) r& j$ |* I2 o, U
attempted teleportation?
4 T0 n4 L! G( N% ?8 J* I A blue screen of light appeared beside him. It was a - I4 N$ _" t5 B
magical doorway, he knew, and not one of Rai-guy's, but 0 S8 g0 I6 {: ?2 l% y
rather the doing of Kimmuriel Oblodra. So that was it, he
( Z' {; B! o. U i2 h% ]mused. Perhaps the orb wouldn't work against psionics.
$ Q! R1 d4 r& K2 k: H% r Or perhaps it would, and that thought unsettled the
% x1 J2 e: _' [& vnormally unshakable Entreri profoundly as he moved to 0 L0 |& f9 |' [% I' {: }
collect the item. What would happen if the orb somehow did
1 D% f6 t( B+ }. c, j' k% g* Zaffect Kimmuriel's dimension warp? Might he wind up in the
$ y7 ~9 ^1 a# E- t. s O, i2 _wrong place-even in another plane of existence, perhaps?
8 A; z8 N4 U5 T! c; ^* O Entreri shook that thought away as well. Life was risky 6 ~4 p3 Z/ S( g% g5 J. H* H
when dealing with drow, magical orbs or not. He took care to
2 _( U- h$ _/ W- j( l( v4 Tpocket the orb slyly, so that any prying eyes would have a 5 ^+ F% Y/ e; N. A6 x
difficult time making out the movement in the dark alley,
5 i' B* N$ r/ ?9 H0 xthen strode quickly up to the portal, and with a single deep ( l* Z! T4 ^* i0 h7 c7 U5 a) D; I
breath, stepped through.
1 L/ Z" v! N5 K- q0 c& m7 X He came out di, fighting hard to hold his balance, in
4 J: x" P6 `( H- `the guild hall's private sorcery chambers back in Calimport, ( L8 }0 ^* b& p
hundreds and hundreds of miles away.
4 U- i4 e% G. U" ?: W- o v1 W9 Q% _ There stood Kimmuriel and Rai-guy, staring at him hard.' b4 K. w4 E! p& ~: c4 k
"The jewels?" Rai-guy asked in the drow language, which $ y3 @) g: {( E1 X! w7 E* ^8 W6 S
Entreri understood, though not well.
2 ]5 K# l2 G! N, ]8 c* u "Soon," the assassin replied in his shaky command of 8 \" l" X9 F9 S) Q# E
Deep Drow. "There was a problem,"
* |3 [& p9 x9 ] Both dark elves lifted their white eyebrows in surprise.
- m5 H/ ]0 o5 d9 @. j( ~# r "Was," Entreri emphasized. "Morik will have the jewels
2 f% z `5 D+ G3 }# Y# @, J0 Ypresently."/ @: t9 A% W+ |: s3 U+ q
"Then Morik lives," Kimmuriel remarked pointedly. "What ( x3 D% @* d: Y2 y
of his attempts to hide from us?"1 w0 V# q# |1 H; g6 m: _
"More the attempts of local magistrates to seal him off & h/ c0 g. _/ Z/ [# W6 x6 s7 Q" F, p
from any outside influences," Entreri lied. "One local
5 E# |% k. q7 H- nmagistrate," he quickly corrected, seeing their faces sour. & G" q: b K* Z4 _+ ]: ^( R7 k1 D+ j2 m
"The issue has been remedied."3 `- D3 Q) i* S5 S! k
Neither drow seemed pleased, but neither openly 5 ] E9 V8 |) K
complained.0 U7 G' D* {- _( m6 }4 l
"And this local magistrate had magically sealed off
" o& ?6 X3 L4 I# r% a; ^, u9 H: tMorik's room from outside, prying eyes?" Rai-guy asked.
: K' Y% m/ h. U5 h "And all other magic," Entreri answered. "It has been * U/ V" B6 a$ i+ ]
corrected."
: o6 l1 k6 u0 S0 O+ m: E "With the orb?" Kimmuriel added.
/ `; o1 R$ Q! v* `! u: S. A$ W "Morik proffered the orb," Rai-guy remarked, narrowing
3 R& `- @5 @ x1 f6 Dhis eyes., Z: S! ]% B! [$ x" I9 d4 x7 l$ H
"He apparently did not know what he was buying," Entreri
$ D; X& A9 k v5 H# w( c9 fsaid calmly, not getting alarmed, for he recognized that his $ g9 `0 k% [: i4 e+ k
ploys had worked.
6 v% @8 I! V3 Q. C G Rai-guy and Kimmuriel would hold their suspicions that 8 s) |5 @! }) a3 b: Y2 v
it had been Morik's work, and not that of any minor ) `, B: Z& Y' n/ [) S% C2 P; m
official, of course. They would suspect that Entreri had ( e" ^8 O7 c8 v0 W
bent the truth to suit his own needs, but the assassin knew
' k, h4 m# S% p2 Rthat he hadn't given them anything overt enough for them to 3 s0 \- b5 `( {$ J# s1 D1 [' S
act upon-at least, not without raising the ire of Jarlaxle.0 ?5 v0 S5 n2 m) }
Again, the realization that his security was almost
0 n5 o2 R$ c. F# i; Qwholly based on the mercenary leader did not sit well with ' Q) o2 l* u# J. Q5 d) h+ y
Entreri. He didn't like being dependent, equating the word 7 M6 V$ \8 M# C0 M- Y: w% V
with weakness.
/ w5 W( W7 O2 P9 d: | He had to turn the situation around.
5 g+ V% ^; t3 {. n, X W "You have the orb," Rai-guy remarked, holding out his
4 n0 y( g9 [" B8 ]slender, deceivingly delicate hand.
# v4 J1 V* u" s' h0 Q9 i "Better for me than for you," the assassin dared to " R1 ~7 Z8 k$ ~. ?6 V& ~7 S; _
reply, and that declaration set the two dark elves back on : O# N0 R" u5 {" b/ f, u; \: A
their heels.7 I: e) }, l' v
Even as he finished speaking, though, Entreri felt the
* H p9 b2 q, @tingling in his pocket. He dropped a hand to the orb, and . y* f2 Q$ h$ }. }$ |- Q9 x
his sensitive fingers felt a subtle vibration coming from ' x: G# R, z p9 V/ H& H' }
deep within the enchanted item. Entreri's gaze focused on
" j8 B$ a& |3 l* c3 ?2 q1 D" T SKimmuriel. The drow was standing with his eyes closed, deep ' B0 I& E. e1 _7 c
in concentration.
* a6 _" D) t) O. h Then he understood. The orb's enchantment would do ' f& d: m. D. j. J
nothing against any of Kimmuriel's formidable mind powers, 7 f1 l) X- O& K
and Entreri had seen this psionic trick before. Kimmuriel 9 Q4 ~3 P. {9 c
was reaching into the latent energy within the orb and was
. U3 o3 s& Y8 H( N9 wexciting that energy to explosive levels.
7 S& M9 M/ r* j; W! _ Entreri toyed with the idea of waiting until the last
' y* b. P0 B1 _1 |& R: L) Cmoment then throwing the orb into Kimmuriel's face. How he : {- S. {1 H9 P: g
would enjoy the sight of that wretched drow caught in one of
- ~# [! e% D, T! K6 \his own tricks!
0 G: d* V5 I3 y+ Y' J1 f With a wave of his hand, Kimmuriel opened a dimensional 4 S' A1 p2 \9 R9 W# v- m
portal, from the room to the nearly deserted dusty street / j8 _' y6 s* P; Q& F
outside. It was a portal large enough for the orb, but that 5 g9 q! v( T) \
would not allow Entreri to step through.
' _) S2 o8 ~4 T. X, [ Entreri felt the energy building, building ... the $ g9 [* u- w! w1 m1 [, T; R1 J) b
vibrations were not so subtle any longer. Still he held 6 |8 L. p0 P" T3 F% ~, n
back, staring at Kimmuriel-just staring and waiting, letting
7 K1 [9 I1 Q( r, r- Qthe drow know that he was not afraid.7 g9 z: B! B, J+ m$ E% S9 a
In truth this was no contest of wills. Entreri had a + Y/ }" J9 l/ l
mounting explosion in his pocket, and Kimmuriel was far 1 \! m, E% a4 R0 ~8 ]. e
enough away so that he would feel little effect from it
" l) Z6 p2 r% s* P( W/ \other than the splattering of Entreri's blood. Again the 4 I- h3 A! q1 z( n8 G2 g
assassin considered throwing the orb into Kimmuriel's face, . C2 q! d2 \3 v& e
but again he realized the futility of such a course.
$ |+ a I0 O9 {' W/ ^. L Kimmuriel would simply stop exciting the latent energy % l3 ?; l" @( h1 W
within the orb, would shut off the explosion as completely
: P- ]# `9 p& Zas dipping a torch into water snuffed out its flame. Entreri & ~. l7 D% i& {5 w! J
would have given Rai-guy and Kimmuriel all the justification + n8 j5 m; N& c; D
they needed to utterly destroy him. Jarlaxle might be angry, " b* b+ K" ]8 P0 b- L$ n+ D
but he couldn't and wouldn't deny them their right to defend 1 @, Q5 I% F/ a! ~5 J
themselves.
3 a. N+ k/ c9 t* B" f! l: ~ Artemis Entreri wasn't ready for such a fight.9 `: m. W/ N0 @4 L0 _3 k# Q
Not yet.
1 [1 b6 I; }) y$ Q6 f. J He tossed the orb out through the open door and watched,
0 H+ i; v3 x* `# o) oa split second later, as it exploded into dust.
, I9 ~2 d p, ]8 D7 @: V: A5 h$ _ The magical door went away.% s/ H+ I4 h7 u* |/ L% ~' z: w3 h
"You play dangerous games," Rai-guy remarked.
4 j2 g" c Y5 g V; k "Your drow friend is the one who brought on the
) N; J7 H3 M9 z2 h4 c4 C9 i, g( q3 ]9 zexplosion," Entreri casually replied.
* {" T; r% c( v7 e7 m "I speak not of that," the wizard retorted. "There is a ) v1 h: T) v/ R/ G! ?+ ?
common saying among your people that it is foolhardy to send
9 n) A0 e4 k% I- U- ]1 Q* q' y0 aa child to do a man's work. We have a similar saying, that $ {. s" J1 {( f! y* f9 m( E
it is foolhardy to send a human to do a drow's work."4 T, }0 j: y. a( l) R9 _' G
Entreri stared at him hard, having no response. This
. ~5 P/ c0 G4 Iwhole situation was starting to feel like those days when he # _9 l1 d O7 Y$ H6 G
had been trapped down in Menzoberranzan, when he had known . S" L6 i6 c, K9 _4 T" g: N
that, in a city of twenty thousand dark elves, no matter how # x1 c' Z, o1 ?, e7 C! L
good he got, no matter how perfect his craft, he would never 0 i, [! ~ F1 @& {1 P* X
be considered any higher in society's rankings than twenty
9 u7 V! a0 w) ethousand and one.
+ e) l0 C# @9 [ Rai-guy and Kimmuriel tossed out a few phrases between 5 v% u$ O# {6 o; `& n* b
themselves, insults mostly, some crude, some subtle, all - C$ |+ y0 {0 Q# g+ V4 @/ P
aimed at Entreri.
4 Z2 y2 Q. r4 q; n! U6 j He took them, every one, and said nothing, because he
5 c _( b4 [) W2 A% \could say nothing. He kept thinking of Dallabad Oasis and a ) Z. p& p& b( n7 u( X1 G+ z
particular sword and gauntlet combination.
% c% k6 n3 s; G/ ^/ @ [ He accepted their demeaning words, because he had to.8 f; x+ ?1 E/ Y: l3 u: @
For now.
